Columns

In early 2014, Gov. Nikki Haley signed into law a bill that was supposed to reform state government. It created the Department of Administration and moved the Budget and Control Board’s functions under the governor’s control.
The bill was widely hailed as historic, and the governor signed it with much fanfare. Yet nearly three years later, somehow it has been almost completely forgotten.
Why? Perhaps because the bill changed so little.

The holidays are upon us. Do you have a “wish list?” If so, what’s on your list? New clothes? Jewelry? Maybe the latest smartphone?
What if your wish was not for material things? What if your wish was to be able to have a home where you are loved and protected? What if your wish was to see your brothers and sisters and play together again?
These are the wishes of many S.C. children living in foster care. Fortunately, you can help make their wishes come true by volunteering for the Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Program.

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) sent this in response to Thursday’s conviction of Dylann Roof in the Emanuel 9 hate crimes trial in Charleston.

While today’s verdict will not bring back those lost, it does ensure that the families of those murdered and injured at Mother Emanuel will see justice come to the evil man who perpetrated this heinous crime.
I know it was not easy for them to testify and to sit and watch as photos and evidence from June 17, 2015, were shown in court.

Over the last week or so, the same basic story has appeared in all the major newspapers around the state: economists have projected that we as a state (i.e. the legislature) will have an additional $446 million to spend over the next fiscal year.
It’s good news that we will have this money to address some serious needs in our state. It’s bad news that the state agencies have lined up to ask for $1.9 billion in new spending.
We have $446 million more. They want $1.9 billion more.

Luke's account of Jesus' birth records two songs spoken by two different women at their meeting in the hill country of Judea.

The first song was spoken by Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. When Mary, the mother of Jesus, visited Zacharias and Elizabeth at their home, John leaped for joy in his mother's womb at Mary's words of greeting.

The constitutional conundrum that South Carolina will face if Nikki Haley is confirmed as United Nations ambassador is evidence of at least one thing: Our legislators take a casual approach to the rule of law.
How did we get to this point? The amendment to the state constitution that voters approved in 2012 specified that it would take effect in 2018. But when the bill to ratify the amendment was filed in the Senate in 2013, it left out a key portion – which changed the effective date. Here is what happened:

Editor’s note: Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) sent a letter last week to top officials of the Smithsonian Institution and the new National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington. Here are excerpts:

I write to thank and congratulate you and the entire team of individuals who helped create the awe-inspiring Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Memory Lane Cruisers was incorporated in 1998 as a local club for car enthusiasts who wanted to display classic (and newer) cars.
You did not have to own a classic car to be a member. You just needed to love cars.
The club was also a way for car enthusiasts to give back to the community. We met once a month to fellowship and conduct business.
The club has held monthly cruise-ins from March until October of each year at different places including Heath Springs, the Sonic, Chick-fil-A, Barry’s Classic Grill, and Hwy 55 Burgers Fries and Shakes.

Since Donald Trump was elected, the phase “drain the swamp” has become media/political shorthand for all the changes that he is going to bring to politics as usual in D.C.
Although I didn’t vote for him, I do absolutely believe that there needs to be a lot of swamp draining in D.C. – and this got me to thinking about swamp draining in S.C. as well.